Facebook of Sex? University of Chicago Site has Possibilities

by Rayne Millaray

When social networking is recognized as sexual networking, this is what happens.

University of Chicago students, are you looking for a no-strings-attached hook-up with someone around campus? Have we got a deal for you. It's called UChicagoHookUps.com, and it's a free online hookup service just for UofC attendees built from the ground up by one of your very own!

The site's bio says, "UChicago Hookups -- "where fun comes to thrive." As the name might imply, UChicago Hookups (or UCH for short) is a service for University of Chicago students to find casual encounters and campus entertainment events. The site is programmed and run by a motivated group of UofC undergrads who believe that doing work and having fun aren't mutually exclusive. We're trying to change the ages-old stereotype that UChicago students are severely sexually deprived. With that in mind, if you're looking for “where fun comes to die,” you've come to the wrong place."

The site has a section to post classifieds, a chat area, and a shoutbox to leave comments. There's an FAQ complete with safety tips and advice on where to get free condoms and dental dams. And now that it's made the news, UofC parents can go check out the site and see what their kids are up to! Though most of the listings are signed with some anonymous nomenclature, if at all, so they'll have to know little Becky and Jimmy rather well to figure out who's who.

“I'm sure many students have heard of the stereotype that we don't have any fun, that this is where fun comes to die, that the guys are desperate,” the site programmer told The Maroon, UofC's student newspaper. “I'm not going to disclose anything too specific ... but I can say that we've already had users who have had success.”

Rest assured, UofC students, registrants must have a uchicago.edu or uchicagobooth.edu email address.